Aurora HDR 2018 pre-orders go live ahead of September 28 launch

Macphun has started taking pre-orders for Aurora HDR 2018, giving both Windows and Mac users a chance to purchase the software ahead of its launch later this month. The pre-order period will run from September 12-27 and includes a special lower price of $89 for new customers versus the regular $249 rate. Existing Aurora HDR customers can update for $49.

The Aurora HDR 2018 pre-orders are bundled with four free bonuses: a travel photo training video by Matt Granger, five sets of HDR Brackets by Pros, a 3-month membership to Zenfolio, and an HDR training video by Trey Ratcliff. According to Macphun, these bonuses have a value of $150.

Head to the Aurora HDR 2018 site to pre-order. The software will be available starting on September 28.

Comments

What is the real list price of just the 2018 software without the extras, which I neither need (nor seem worth $150). Is the 2018 version list price actually $99, without the extras, as some review sites I've seen have suggested?

Thanks. I'm a PC user, so I'll have to wait and see. But when it's released, I can try the 30 day trial. (I assume the trial is fully functional and does not watermark, during the trial period? Otherwise, I don't want to waste my time getting used to the software and working on images I can't keep.)

Be warned, I just purchased and downloaded the Windows version... terrible so far. Most the good features that were in the Mac version two years ago, aren't even available in the Win version. The Luminosity Mask function isn't there, and I can't even find it on a 2018 version. It's crashing a lot, and won't allow me to load the Photoshop and Lightroom plugin.

Our developers are working on the hotfix for the plug-in issue. Also, please note that we're planning to add all missing features until the end of 2017. Here you can find the list of scheduled free updates for PC and Mac versions of Aurora HDR 2018: https://aurorahdr.com/faq

In early 2016 I paid $99 for Aurora HDR. That was followed less than a year later by Aurora HDR 2017 for an upgrade price of $49. Now about a year later there’s this latest rendition for $83. That’s around $225 for software in existence for about 2 years. Wonder what the never before seen “Aurora HDR superdooper, one-of-a-kind 2019” price will be?

@2stepbay, The upgrade to Aurora HDR 2018 is paid since it's a brand new app with a lot of new tools and improvements. Our developers have devoted plenty of time and efforts to implement these advancements. Actually, that's how software companies work - when a new version is released, the upgrade fee is charged. Most companies are now doing this upgrade on a yearly basis. If we didn't charge for upgrades on new versions how would we make any money to pay for development to give you new tools and ways to work with your photos? :)That's why we provide all the Aurora HDR owners with the special discounts and those who pre-order the app get great bonuses from our partners.

Moreover, we're still supporting all the previous versions of Aurora HDR

A skilled photographer could have gotten results like the examples in-camera. But then who needs the patience and discipline to wait for just the right moment to press the shutter when you can fire off a snapshot and "fix it in post", am I right?

No. Try taking a decent photo of a business or residential exterior when the only time available is in the blaze of the midday sun. You will suddenly feel tremendous gratitude for the person who invented HDR because the only way to get a photo under those conditions is to shoot a 3-5 shot bracket, 1 stop apart and let LR or your preferred software do it's magic.

Unless you're shooting in the sun, any camera these days with good DR can get any shot you need. You just need to know how to map that DR properly, given the scene. Cameras with zebras make this incredibly easy.

After clicking on the link to the site of this software, Aurora, I ended up wondering why would anyone want a program that defaces photographs like the scroll-over samples in the homepage for no perceivable creative purpose?

@huyzerHDR is (can be) actually useful.I've done some too, where DR was simply too much for the sensor (dark shadows + highlights due to strong August sunlight)... but one can still use restraint and good judgement, and avoid those cheesy excesses...

@AlinaSince I can infer from your nick that you actually work for MacPhun, then I'll ask /you/ why those promotional pics were chosen.Is the "tasteless layman" really your intended market target?

Yes, opinions are like noses; everyone has one. ;D <--- except this emoticon. ;P @LenBeginner True, DR can be a bear. I guess if it has a function where you can adjust the percentage to suit a person's taste, that would work for me. Good question directed toward Alina.

Well... i was kind of making fun of the idea to test a pre-order... but you did it :)Thank you, all the respect!

@DPR: you should highlight Alina's response, or add this info to the article, as it is a very helpful observation and it makes the preorder more attractive for people who didn't think about this option.

But then we have to tie up money with your company and deal with hassles on customer support.. no thank you! The software, from the videos I've seen, looks nice. But I'm not willing to spend money just to trial it in order to take advantage of a sale price.

Yes but usually you have a trial before coughing up dough. Even in a preorder there should be at least a beta. I don't buy blind. And, quite frankly, I think it is an odd policy to have as a company. Buy before you try.

When you could so easily offer a trial. I mean there is a luminar windows beta release that works as a trial. So easily you could do the same with Aurora. Which leads me to think your company is not one to be trusted to say 'buy now, before trialing, it will be fine' that almost reads as 'sign the bill you dont have to read what is in it, it is fine'

Getting in touch with any support team is in itself a hassle; I think having to go through another party is a hassle.

As interesting as this software seems, I think I'm going to stick to what I already use. Your companys try before buy (to get a sale price) policy is very off-putting to me.

Haha, loved the video. Never heard of the software though. I thought Photomatix and the other one (that got dumbed down in version 2) are the best HDR programs. Hmmm, seems like ever since the EXMOR sensor launched (D800), i haven't had the need for HDR...

I have Aurora 2017 and I've got terrible results merging raw files from my fujifilm XPro-2 camera (Xtrans sensor III). The file processing creates a lot of artifacts and fussy images. Lightroom does a much better job. I would not recommend Aurora to fujifilm camera owners. Try before you buy.

I never liked any HDR program.... they just mess up things, ending up fake looking.I just use luminosity masks with different layers in PS ... the result end up looking natural (and you can push the look really harsh too if that is what you want and still look a hell of a lot much better)

We would highly appreciate if you can send the original sample files so that we can test them on our side at support@macphun.com. Please upload your RAWs to www.WeTransfer.com & send us shared for everyone link.

Also, we need more information about your Mac. Please click on Apple Logo in the top-left corner of your screen, select About This Mac > make a screenshot (Command+Shift+3) and send it to us.

I few observations, from a skilled PS user who--I am ashamed to admit--had never heard of this product before today.a. After watching this, I still have no idea what this product does (or what changes this new version has). Okay, I get that it does HDR. But so do a million other programmes.b. It did have a sense of humor. I did smile with the snow-dogs vs snowmobiles analogy, since I think it was clear that he did this intentionally . . . to come up with a metaphor that, really, makes no sense.c. I was a big fan of DPR. I still come back occasionally. But this site is a pale shadow of what it was. Alas.

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